Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuted claims made by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Lebanon would be included in the ceasefire agreement between the US, Israel, and Iran.
While welcoming US President Donald Trump’s “decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks,” the Prime Minister’s Office stressed in a statement issued only in English, not Hebrew, that the two-week ceasefire “does not include Lebanon.”
Shehbaz had announced that Lebanon would be included in a Wednesday morning post on X/Twitter.
"With the greatest humility," he wrote, "I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY."
The announcement came following strong speculation that Hezbollah would likely be included in the agreement, according to reports by Lebanon's MTV news channel, which cited undisclosed Lebanese sources.
Iran's initial 10-point ceasefire proposal included demands for Israel to halt its strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have persisted since Hezbollah joined the war by launching rocket attacks on Israel.
The PMO statement also highlighted the importance of ensuring that "Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile, and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran's Arab neighbors, and the world," adding that "the United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations."
Israel issues evacuation order, prepared to strike Hezbollah
Earlier on Tuesday, before the ceasefire was announced, the IDF issued evacuation warnings for Lebanese residents in Tyre and Shabriha, in Al-Abbasiya, as the military prepared for strikes against Hezbollah in the area.
Residents were instructed to evacuate north of the Al-Zahrani River.
"Hezbollah's activity forces the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not wish to harm you,” said IDF Arabic Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee in a post on X/Twitter. “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately."
IDF expands Lebanon ground operations
Also, prior to the ceasefire, the IDF's 98th Commando Division joined ground operations in Lebanon, according to the military, with forces positioned on the anti-tank line.
The IDF noted that the division was the latest to join fighting in Lebanon over the past week as the military expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, alongside Divisions 91, 36, 146, and 162.
"The IDF completed its positioning on the 'anti-tank line' and continues operations in the area to strengthen the front-line defense and remove the threat to the northern residents," said an IDF spokesperson.
Tobias Siegal and Eli Leon contributed to this report.